In a Japanese Garden
29.03.2024
18 °C
The clock is ticking towards the end of our circumnavigation of Pacific Islands and the cherry blossoms of Japan have just one more week to burst if we are to enjoy this Japanese rite of spring . However, we have seen the odd tree in bloom and there are some early flowering varieties like this one at Matsuyama Castle…
An ancient Japanese saying is, “The cherry is first among flowers as the samurai is among men,” and in the 17th. century, during the Edo Period, local samurai leaders planted cherry trees in Tokyo during their annual pilgrimage to show allegiance to the shogun. One of those samurai warriors would have come from the castle of Kanazawa. 
While most of this castle is a reconstruction that is barely twenty years old, the accompanying 25 acre Kenroku-en garden has been a public garden since 1821 and is renowned as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. We saw the cherry blossoms here eight years ago, but they are late this year. However, the plum blossoms typically emerge earlier, and we were lucky to see them… 
The Japanese populace as a whole is aging rapidly, and it seems that their cherry trees are aging with them. However, while we are quick to fell old and diseased trees, the Japanese treat them with the same respect they give to their elderly and infirm citizens. Wounds are bandaged with care and fragile limbs are supported with canes and crutches…
Trees that are naturally deformed almost from birth are particularly cared for…
Even the moss is carefully trimmed and then brushed in segments marked by strings to make sure that nothing is missed…
A traditional tea house is a necessity in a classical garden along with a torii gate and pagoda lantern…
And running water is a key element, both for its visual effect and its soothing sounds…
Couples in traditional costumes get engaged under the blossoming trees in order to bring good fortune to their union, and young women in kimonos pose for graduation photos as this one was doing in Kyoto…
Nowhere is a picture worth a thousand words more than in a garden, so here's another picture of the Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa…
While we eagerly anticipate the moment when the cherries will be in full bloom, (the mankai), we are consoled with the beautiful azalea in the Hikoso Ryokuchi Garden in Kanazawa…
Waiting for the blossoms is magical, hope you get to see more soon.
I love the crutches and care of the ancient branches. Beautiful azalea blossoms.
Cherry blossoms in Vancouver is happening.
by Sue Fitzwilson